Have you ever wondered why there's a the before Philippines when there is none for most countries? I am neither a historian nor a linguist, but I will attempt to answer this question because there does not seem to be an explanation anywhere else on the Internet.

Q: Why is a the used with Philippines?

A: The Philippines used to be known as the Philippine Islands. When independence was attained and the country's name was shortened, the extra the applicable to the Philippine Islands was retained for the Philippines. But this, of course, is just my best guess...

For more information about the Philippines, please check out the following: